Jack Draper admits what Casper Ruud did better than him in the Madrid Open final after losing in deciding set

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Jack Draper was looking to become the first player to win multiple Masters 1000 titles in 2025.

The British star broke through to win his first Masters 1000 title earlier this year, when Draper beat Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.

Rediscovering that form in Madrid, Draper secured several impressive victories over the likes of Matteo Berrettini, Tommy Paul, and Lorenzo Musetti to book his place in the final.

There, he took on Norway’s Casper Ruud, who had come up short in his two previous Masters 1000 final appearances.

Unable to double his 2025 Masters tally, Draper lost a gruelling three-set battle, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6.

Speaking after the match, the ATP world number six explained what his victorious opponent did better than him throughout the final.

Jack Draper says Casper Ruud was ‘braver’ than him in the ‘key moments’ of the 2025 Madrid Open final

During his post-match speech, Draper was full of praise for the newly crowned Madrid Open champion.

“I just want to congratulate Casper [Ruud],” he said.

“First ATP Masters win for you. I think you really deserved this.”

The Brit then highlighted the area where Ruud outperformed him in Sunday’s final.

“The way you played today, you were braver than me in the key moments,” said Draper.

“You deserve this, so much hard work constantly over the years on the tour. So I want to congratulate you and the rest of your team for all the hard work.”

Ruud produced one of the best performances of his tennis career to beat Draper, showing his grit and determination right from the off.

The Norwegian trailed Draper in the first set, 3-5, before producing a memorable comeback to break twice in succession, heading into a 7-5 lead.

The Brit was back to his best in the second, levelling proceedings as fans awaited a decider on Manolo Santana Stadium.

With a break secured, Ruud had the opportunity to serve things out at 5-4, and was determined not to let the opportunity slip through his fingers.

Ruud’s forehand stepped into another gear in the final game, powering him home to victory, as he clinched his maiden Masters 1000 crown.

Ruud’s win in Madrid will see him return to the world’s top ten at number seven, two places behind Draper in fifth.

With two of his favorite clay court tournaments still to come, it may not be too long until we see Ruud closing in on Draper for a place in the top five.

Casper Ruud’s performances at the Italian Open and French Open

Next up for the Norwegian is a trip to Rome for the Italian Open, where he has reached the last four on three occasions.

• 2020 Italian Open – Casper Ruud lost to Novak Djokovic in SF, 5-7, 3-6
• 2022 Italian Open – Casper Ruud lost to Novak Djokovic in SF, 4-6, 3-6
• 2023 Italian Open – Casper Ruud lost to Holger Rune in SF, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6

Ruud came closest to the final two years ago, when he fell to defeat against his fellow Scandinavian, Holger Rune, in three sets.

Ruud’s 72% win rate in Rome is his second-best of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, unsurprisingly trailing only Madrid (75%).

He’ll be hoping for a strong showing in the Italian capital, but will have one eye on Roland Garros, where he has plenty of unfinished business.

The 26-year-old is a two-time runner-up in Paris, having lost to two of the sport’s greats, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, in his two French Open finals.

• 2022 French Open F – Casper Ruud lost to Rafael Nadal, 3-6, 3-6, 0-6
• 2023 French Open F – Casper Ruud lost to Novak Djokovic, 6-7, 3-6, 5-7

Only time will tell if he can go all the way at either tournament in 2025, but winning a title in Madrid will certainly do wonders for his confidence.

The 2025 Italian Open is set to begin on Monday, May 5, before the French Open gets underway on Sunday, May 25.